I love to bake when I have the time and of course I have to wear a super cute apron when I’m in the kitchen. This handkerchief apron is sweet and so simple to make…you’ll want to make them for all of your friends for the holidays! First purchase a plain half apron without pockets. Then choose two handkerchiefs that compliment the apron and you would like to use as pockets. Using a sewing machine, sew three sides of each handkerchief to the apron leaving the top portion unsewn so that it falls into a natural drape. If you want to get fancy, try sewing lace onto the pockets! Voila! Your own handkerchief apron! 

Picture from Craftbits.

Handkerchiefs are so beautiful and decorative so why not frame them?! The best part of handkerchief wall art is it is an inexpensive way of sprucing up a bathroom, decorating a little girl’s nursery or adding interest to a guest bedroom. First thing you need to do is enjoy shopping for the hankies in the color palette that you are looking for! Just like my home decor, I like to mix old and new. So start with a Happy Hanky style that you’ve been wanting to add to your collection and will match your decor then hit some antique stores to pick up vintage hankies to match. Try to make sure all your hankies are approximately the same size…it will help when you are shopping for your picture frames.   After you have your handkerchiefs and picture frames, you need to choose a backing that is acid free. I like using either paper or fabric that will compliment the patterns in the hankies. Next place your hankies upside down on the glass of the frame and place the backing on top. You may need to use a piece of cardboard to give the hankies a tight fit in the frame. Lastly hang your handkerchief wall art in an interesting pattern on your wall and enjoy the compliments from your friends!!  

Collecting vintage handkerchiefs is a fun and inexpensive hobby that I just love. They can be found in antique stores, on Ebay, at flea markets and estate sales. For me, this is the best time of year to go “handkerchief-ing”  at the antique stores in Lambertville, NJ. The weather is perfect for a stroll and I feel so satisfied walking back to my car with little bags filled with hankies.  Though I have not met anyone that has gotten rich off collecting and selling hankies, some are actually worth more than others. My absolute favorite ones to collect are the Burmel hankies from the Handkerchief of the Month Club that was seen in Vogue magazine in the 1950’s. I will never forget when I found a handkerchief at a flea market with the Burmel tag still attached!            

(side note…if you decide to take a trip to Lambertville, make sure you have breakfast at the Full Moon Cafe!)

 

Next week starts “5 Hanky Projects in 5 Days”. Each day I will show you a new, creative way to use your handkerchiefs! Have a good weekend and Happy Halloween!

Jeff and I visited the “Making Scents” exhibit at Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, PA. The perfume bottle collection alone is reason to visit but they also allow you to create your very own fragrance (I prefer notes of sandalwood, jasmine and bergamot). The exhibit reminded me of how my grandmother would lightly mist her handkerchiefs with her perfume and place them in her handbags and linen drawers. There’s something feminine and unique about keeping a scented handkerchief in your tote or tying a misted hanky to your handbag. It allows your scent to follow you everywhere! One of the floral Happy Hankies would look super cute tied on your favorite bag! I tied the Hedgehog Party handkerchief to my diaper bag and the Limited Edition Pink Party handkerchief to my briefcase!

I was so happy when Tami Reed from Talking with Tamicontacted me about mentioning Happy Hanky handkerchiefs on her show and blog.  Tami also has a love for hankies and had inherited many of her granny’s handkerchiefs. She loved my fresh take on the classic accessory. Tami is having a party in a few weeks and will be giving Happy Hanky to each guest along with a vintage teacup – love it!   You can check out her blog post on Happy Hanky handkerchiefs at the link below and browse her site….she’s a doll and a real inspiration for all entrepreneurs!

http://talkingwithtami.com/cool-product-happy-hanky

Tami Reed started her own talk show in 2005 and has interviewed many big celebrities like Fergie, Usher, Jane Fonda and many others. She has been featured in many magazines and guest blogs on numerous sites.

 

 

 

If you’re a handkerchief lover like me, you probably have piles of vintage hankies from your mothers and grandmothers. There are so many fun little things that I’ve seen created using vintage hankies. These handkerchief sachets are defintely one of the cuter and easier ways to make use of your hankies. They make a great gift too!

From Skip to My Lou, below are simple directions on how to create your own handkerchief sachets:

1. Take one handkerchief and lay it out flat.

2. Fold the handkerchief in half and then half again. Line up all edges and press.

3. Machine stitch around the handkerchief about a half inch from the edge (on larger hankies I sewed 1 inch from the edge). Leave a one inch opening on a side that can be filled.

4. Fill handkerchief with dried lavender.

5. Close opening by finishing stitching line. The stitching line could also be embellished with hand embroidery.

Happy Hanky handkerchiefs were featured on the 10!Show in Philadelphia as part of an event that we participated in in the city. We have gotten such a positive response from the segment and it was super cool to see our handkerchiefs on TV! They showed some of my favorite hankies and the host loved them! So exciting!

Happy Hanky on the 10!Show in Philadelphia

I was in handkerchief heaven today! A friend and I went to the Robin’s Nest for lunch. When I went into the ladies room, I lost my mind. There was a canopy made of vintage handkerchiefs on the ceiling and hankies craftly laid out under glass hanging on the walls. Lots of creative handkerchief ideas…and in a bathroom! If you happen to find yourself in historic Mt Holly, NJ check out the Robin’s Nest for lunch and don’ forget to visit the ladies room to see all the lovely handkerchiefs!! 

I’m so excited to be releasing my third collection of Happy Hanky handkerchiefs! This collection is all about whimsy. The handkerchief prints are perfect for a wedding or a day on the town. The nine new handkerchief styles were just uploaded in the Collections section. Don’t forget those Fall weddings that are right around the corner. Happy Hanky handkerchiefs are the perfect gift for brides and bridal parties!

I’m just wrapping up a photo shoot of the new Happy Hanky collection. You’re going to love all the new handkerchief designs. You are definately going to want to pick up a few for the Fall wedding season. And let’s not forget the moms-to-be…a Happy Hanky make a perfect shower gift!